Chaminade University of Honolulu

Campus and Community

2019 Heritage Awards

Three members of the Chaminade ‘ohana were honored at a special mass on January 23, 2019 as part of the annual Heritage Awards. Each year, Chaminade University recognizes three individuals who exemplify the Marianist tradition on campus and live and share Marianist ideals. This year’s award winners were Sister Malia Wong, O.P, Riu Jiang Huang and Savannah Delos Santos.

Dr. Babingtong with Sr. Malia WongThe Chaminade Award is given each year to a faculty or staff member who exhibits a continuous commitment to Marianist values. This year’s recipient, Sr. Malia Wong, is a Chaminade alumna and has been a senior lecturer in religious studies at Chaminade University for over 18 years. In addition to teaching classes, Sr. Malia also creates an All Things Marianist video series, documents plants and trees on campus and their natural medicinal properties and makes regular visits to individuals in the hospital—to name just a few.

Dr. Babington with Riu Jiang HuangRiu Jiang Huang, this year’s recipient of the Marianist Award, has been an electrician at Chaminade for over 20 years. There is no obstacle too big for Riu. He constantly finds creative solutions to problems, approaches every individual with a smile and communicates the spirit of faith, service and commitment in all that he does. Riu is known for his ability to bring laughter and joy and expressing his kindness through actions.

Dr. Babington with Savannah Delos SantosThe Founder’s Award is presented each year to a student who has exhibited a spirit of faith, demonstrated a commitment to Marianist values and served as a role model for the Chaminade community. Savannah Delos Santos was the well-deserved recipient this year. She is an active participant in Campus Ministry, was a member of the university’s strategic planning task force, is a participant in the Hogan Entrepreneurial Program, interned for a fashion designer and helped plan a national conference. Her enthusiastic willingness to embrace every opportunity that is presented to her indicates both her faith and her response to God’s call.

Congratulations and mahalo to our three award-winners! We are blessed and honored to have your unique gifts as part of our campus community.

Cardinal Turkson Visits Campus

Cardinal Peter Turkson

On January 15, Chaminade University was pleased to welcome Cardinal Peter Turkson at Mystical Rose Oratory as part of his larger Hawaii visit. Cardinal Peter Turkson is a top Vatican official and advisor to Pope Francis. He has been appointed by Pope Francis as the first Prefect of the new Dicastery for promoting Integral Human Development.

The Cardinal spoke to Chaminade students, faculty and staff about climate change, labor and education in light of Catholic social teaching.

Cardinal Turkson grew up in Ghana in West Africa. His father was a carpenter and his mother grew vegetables. From a young age, his family instilled in him a deep relationship with the environment. We are all made from the earth’s elements, teaches Cardinal Turkson. God intended us to be co-creators of this earth, but somewhere along the way with consumerism and economic growth, we have become irresponsible co-creators.

Cardinal Peter Turkson

Cardinal Turkson advocated for a return to a tender relationship with creation. Our concept of labor and work need to be reviewed. Labor, he said, refers to the way we exercise our talents and creativity. It is an expression of our dignity. It is through tender, peaceful, creative work that we can create transformation and truly become God’s co-creators.

“The future of the world is not just in the hands of the politicians,” says Cardinal Turkson. “Change can come from each of us.”

The event was live-streamed on Chaminade University’s Facebook page. To watch Cardinal Turkson’s full talk, visit facebook.com/ChaminadeUniversity.

Congratulations class of 2018

2018 Fall Commencement CeremonyCongratulations to our fall 2018 graduates! The winter commencement ceremony on Monday, December 10, 2018, recognized the hard work of our undergraduate and graduate students who had completed all criteria necessary to receive their degree.

The ceremony began with an oli by Kaipo Leopoldino ‘14 followed by the processional. Nonglak Jaiyen Kapileo, the undergraduate student speaker, and Avemaoe Peko, the graduate speaker, both congratulated their fellow classmates on their hard work and accomplishments and commended them on this new beginning.

“Receiving our diploma tonight means we have completed our painting,” said Kapileo. “It’s time to start a new canvas and continue to paint our future.”

The commencement address by Pono Shim, president and CEO of O’ahu Economic Development Board, inspired the students to continue working for their goals and to stand up for their beliefs.

Congratulations to our newest Chaminade alumni—we are so proud of you and we wish you the best in your future endeavors

Chaminade Students Register 67 New Voters

A team of Hogan Entrepreneurial Program students took to the Chaminade campus in early October to register students, faculty and staff to vote. Over the course of a week, the volunteers registered 67 new voters.

Before heading out, Hogan students met with Corie Tanida, executive director of Common Cause Hawaii to learn more about voter registration in Hawaii. She also provided the students with handouts and sample scripts to prepare them for their outreach efforts.

Hawaii has the lowest voter turnout in the country and the students sought to change that. “We live in a democracy,” says Maddeline Smith ‘20, a Chaminade student majoring in business administration and one of the student volunteers. “It is our right to vote, and we need to exercise that right.”

All completed voter registration forms were hand delivered to the City and County of Honolulu Office by Hogan Program staff.

 

An Evening of Cultural Performances

Friday, October 26 marked this year’s Pacific Island Review. Each fall, the lively event is an opportunity for Chaminade student cultural organizations to showcase their talents through music, dance and performance. This year’s annual event also featured dinner and a heated lip sync battle.

If you missed this year’s event, be sure to watch the highlights in the video below and then join us in the spring for International Extravaganza!

 

Kicking Off a Year of Business

2018 Hogan Entrepreneurial Program Kick OffChaminade staff, faculty and community partners joined together to welcome nearly 40 new Hogan Entrepreneurial Program students at the Pacific Club on October 10.

The Hogan Entrepreneurial Program provides an entrepreneurial certificate to Chaminade’s juniors, seniors and graduate students. Students in the program spend a year taking classes and hearing from weekly guest speakers to learn the principles of starting a business.

“Our motto is doing business things that make social sense and doing social things that make business sense,” says Dr. John Webster, director of the Hogan Entrepreneurial Program. “We ask our students to take this motto seriously, and they do.”

The program’s annual kick-off event allowed students a chance to meet with members of the business community and hear from keynote speaker Leslie Wilcox.

2018 Hogan Entrepreneurial Program Kick OffPresident and CEO of PBS Hawaii Leslie Wilcox pulled from her well-respected career in news and media to present the new entrepreneurs with five leadership takeaways:

 1. Cultivate a simple mindset
 2. Respect team smarts
 3. Be willing to accept advice and constructive criticism
 4. Develop battle-hardened confidence
 5. Be fearless

After the address, attendees enjoyed a beautiful outdoor reception where students had a chance to network with and meet Hawaii business leaders.

Congratulations to our 2018 Hogan Entrepreneurs, we can’t wait to see what you achieve over the next year!